Top Palm Springs Nature Parks

Soar over Palm Springs on the Aerial Tramway for spectacular views of the desert. Ascending to 5,783 feet (1,790 meters), the tram transports you to the cool air in the San Jacinto Mountains. View unspoiled wilderness, including mountain spires and Ponderosa pine trees, during your ascent. Disembark and explore the area around Mountain Station, which includes a cocktail lounge, restaurant and observation deck. Hike, snowshoe or cross-country ski on the trails in the Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area around Mountain Station.

Explore a shady oasis and rugged canyons on a Hummer adventure that goes deep into Joshua Tree’s arid landscape. See the park's most iconic sights and learn about its geology, fauna, and cultural history. Immerse yourself in the majesty of this park in the company of an expert guide. A comfortable air-conditioned shuttle makes pickups from Palm Springs and Palm Desert.

Discover Palm Springs through the eyes of its famous residents and historical icons on this short tour through the bustling resort city. Instead of piling into a crowded tour bus with a mass of strangers, enjoy a personalized private tour with a guide who can answer your questions and tell you the stories you want to hear. Roam around some of the city’s historic districts, get photo ops at locations like Indian Canyon and the San Andreas faultline, and visit the property where the Rat Pack partied their way through the ‘60s.

Explore Palm Springs and Indian Canyons by bike and on foot during a half-day tour from downtown Palm Springs. With guide, bike rental, and snacks included, it’s easy to discover one of southern California’s most scenic city and desert landscapes. You'll ride through Palm Springs on a 10-mile (17-km) loop to Indian Canyons, then hike in the canyon at a leisurely pace suitable for reasonably active people.

Explore the geology around California’s legendary San Andreas fault during a Jeep tour from Palm Desert. See a desert oasis fed by an underground spring as your naturalist guide describes how the Native American Cahuilla tribe used the desert's plants for food, medicine, and shelter. Marvel at steep-walled canyons and tall twisted rock mountains, and learn about the plant and animal life of the area. Choose from a morning or afternoon tour that includes light snacks, and bottled water.

Get an introduction to the fun sport of archery in the beautiful setting of Coyote Dry Lake Bed in Joshua Tree. To start, we’ll set you up with a beginner bow and a bucket of arrows to shoot from any distance you choose. We’ll instruct you in the proper form to aim and shoot. When you are ready, you can move up to a more advanced bow and heavier arrows.

This sunrise hike in the San Jacinto Mountains has a beautiful resting stop with stunning views of the Coachella Valley. Here, your guide will lead you through a grounding meditation to help set your intention for the day. Before you get there, you'll watch the sunrise over Indian Canyons and enjoy the nature in Oswitz Canyon. This hike and meditation will help you feel refreshed, relaxed, and connected to the Earth and universe

Long a Hollywood hangout and celebrity playground, Palm Springs has decades of secrets to uncover. With this smartphone-led scavenger hunt, you’ll get away from the crowds and go on your own quest across the city, solving clues, trivia-style riddles, and more, visiting the most iconic spots in town. Play at your pace—maybe you’ll even catch sight of a star.

Opt for this Palm Springs windmill tour, and try something a little different from your typical celebrity homes or San Andreas Fault tours you’d usually do in Palm Springs. This self-driving windmill tour allows you to explore the evolution of wind turbines on a private wind farm from the comfort of your own vehicle. The tour allows you to exit at each stop and guides you with a curated video.

The San Andreas Fault is one of the world’s best-known fault lines—and this small-group tour will help you discover it up close. Pick between morning and afternoon start times, make your own way to the Indio departure point, and set off via open-air Jeep. You’ll discover the region’s dramatic scenery, will learn about desert habitats and the local Cahuilla people, will visit a desert oasis, and much more.